HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 51

(By Delegate Haynes)

[February 8, 2022]

Requesting the Division of Highways name a portion of CR19/1, known as Maple Avenue, from its intersection with Laurel Street to its intersection with Lively Street, in Fayette County, the “U. S. Army 1LT James A. Murdock, Jr. Memorial Road”.

Whereas, James A. Murdock, Jr. was born on September 26, 1947, to James Murdock, Sr. and Gracealee Bowyer Murdock in Scarbro, WV; and

Whereas, Jim was born and raised in Fayette County; he was a graduate of Collins High School in Oak Hill in 1965, and resided in Fayetteville, WV for the past 35 years; and

Whereas, U. S. Army 1LT James A. Murdock, Jr. served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1969 to 1973, serving in Vietnam, first as a Sergeant, and was field commissioned a Lieutenant; he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and was also awarded the Bronze Star for his exemplary service; and

Whereas, U. S. Army 1LT James A. Murdock, Jr. was President of W. R. Murdock & Sons, Inc. which produces couplings, fittings, hydraulic equipment and tube fittings; and

Whereas, U. S. Army 1LT James A. Murdock, Jr. was also very active in the Fayette County community; the love of his community led to one of his proudest accomplishments, serving as Mayor of Fayetteville; he was converted from an Oak Hill fan to a die­hard Fayetteville Pirate fan, and he truly bled green and white; he was a faithful member of the Oak Hill Church of the Nazarene, member of the Gideons International (Fayette county camp), where he was most recently serving as treasurer and was a previous president; he served on the Fayette County Republican Executive Committee and was a previous Chairman; he also enjoyed volunteering at the Beckley VA Hospital and Beckley Vet Center; and

Whereas, Known as “Papaw Jim”, “Uncle Jimmy”, and “Jim” to many, U. S. Army 1LT James A. Murdock, Jr. was passionate about God, his family, his country, and supporting law enforcement.

Whereas, U. S. Army 1LT James A. Murdock, Jr. passed away at the age of 74, on December 23, 2021, surrounded by his family; he is survived by his wife, Barbara Clinebell Murdock, sons, James Murdock III & Matthew Jarvis, daughter, Jodi Frantz, sons-in-law Kevin Mealer & Tim Frantz, daughter-in-law Erika Jarvis, and grandchildren Logan Frantz, Cloey Frantz, James Murdock IV, Daniel Mealer, Jacob Mealer, Samuel Mealer, Chase Jarvis, and Mia Jarvis; and

Whereas, It is fitting that an enduring memorial be established to commemorate U. S. Army 1LT James A. Murdock, Jr. and his contributions to our state and country; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to name a portion of CR19/1, known as Maple Avenue, from its intersection with Laurel Street to its intersection with Lively Street, in Fayette County, the “U. S. Army 1LT James A. Murdock, Jr. Memorial Road”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Division of Highways is hereby requested to have made and be placed signs at both ends identifying the portion of road as the “U. S Army 1LT James A. Murdock, Jr. Memorial Road”; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the House forward a copy of this resolution to the Commissioner of the Division of Highways.